Capitalism n' Stuff

This is a post by Tristan Ryan, co-owner of this blog.

Growing up, I used to admire this lovely canopy that was across the road from my house. The mixture of pine and oak trees was beautiful and made one feel at peace when they gazed at it. The scenery within a mile of my house had a similar effect on the soul. The wildlife of East Texas redeems it from the cesspool of backwards, offensive people and backwards, offensive views.

The wood was plentiful, and it was only a matter of time until someone's greedy eyes saw the money in the trees instead of the beauty in it. It was sad to see the canopy and some of the other trees go, annoying to hear the machines early in the morning, and unpleasing to look at the desolation where the canopy once flourished. To top it all off, one of the rednecks destroying my lovely jungle decided to park his car on the edge of my family's property.

I know that they're going to replant (or so they promise), but it makes me sad nonetheless. To add on to this, the local wild hog population around my property was displaced, so they were running everywhere. On property, in front of cars, et cetera. They're rather dangerous, and displaced hogs are arguably worse.

I've compiled an imgur album of the desolation, if you'd like to see it.

Anyway, this whole thing has got me wondering if profit is always worth it. Are there moral limits to what you can do to legally get money? Is it wrong to rob a neighborhood of the beauty of nature for a pretty penny? Naturally, I'm very biased, but what do you guys from the outside think?

Wanna-be's but never Will-be's: The Pakistani Diaspora

Credits: Mirsub Ali Fazlani. Yes, I know I wrote Diaspora wrong. Silly me.

This is a Guest Post by Feriha Jazeb.

Life is full of endless twists & twirls but how you whether through them defines who you really are.

Enough has already been penned and reported on the issue, but we just don’t seem to come out of this eloquence.It seems baffling at first, the substance that GENERALLY, we trend to think that dwelling in another domicile, being international, is appealing all the time, but yes, ethics cannot be confined to an entire race, culture or civilization (States are not Planets Of Hats). Those who are sweating to adhere with Brits (This is the good idea), you will feasibly fail instead of whatever preparations you try, but you can do a fairly good job if you are entirely focused.

Let's turn on steam at Pakistani people living abroad,who had implanted themselves as British citizens, would never dump their British nationalities. Although by their tone, language, convention and customs, they are Pakistanis but by passport they are British nationals. They are modernized and adapting to western society. They have compensated their cultural tradition, heritage and identity for a western custom (Black on the outside, white on the inside i.e; coconut). They remain un-uttered about their national pedigree, just to avoid useless trouble. After every effort they made to hook up with Brits they are still not accepted and are sabotaged by western society. They in fact are marginalized. For British society they are “too black” or “too Asian and back home (i.e.,Pakistan) they are anticipated as “too white” or “too western\"(chocolate coated westerners). As we look further into this behavior, we realize that they do have genuine reasons. Pakistani Diaspora being slurred in their workplaces; our students being slammed and contra-distinguished against in the developed world, Pakistani passport raises eyebrows at airports. I can personally uphold for the straight stuff that anyone who is not a local or a gora, is subject to serious injustice, and Pakistanis too are pierced in a meticulous manner.

Dabbling in Too Many Things At Once

Like most people in this tech-savy and demanding world, I'm getting wrapped in too many stuff. Sometimes it's this blog, sometime's it's my music, twitter etc. Let's not forget the
god-forsaken homework that teachers feel the need to give and...I have my exams. Just bundles of joy I tell ya'.

It all gets a bit too much handle at times, but some-how I manage. I persevere no matter how severe (yes, that was supposed to rhyme). It's like I have all these plethora of things to do and if focus on one, it has repercussions (like this blog, which went from having a Alexa rank of 300,000 to 1,100,000). Sometimes I feel like I should just let go but something keeps holding me back...

Job in Faisalabad – Employers & Employees Perspective

Faisalabad, the third largest city of Pakistan had given a lot of business to the country, but has faced a downfall over the years. Faisalabad has a strong industrial base including the industries of textiles, jewelry, manufacturing, furniture, pharmaceuticals and other small business enterprises. My focus in this article is on finding a job in Faisalabad. I'll discuss perspective of both job seekers and employers.

Karachi. Here we go again.

Karachi is up to it's same old antics again. Another week, another bombing; the residents here have become used to this. So used to it that we tend to forget that these are not mere stats and figures but people. With lives. 

Some of us rush to social media sites expressing our 'grief' and school-going kids go contemplate whether tomorrow shall be a holiday or not. Let's not forget the good ole' media sensationalizing this by playing un-authorized dramatic soundtracks from movies showing or showing mother clutching their dead sons to their chest.

But as-always the residents of Karachi shall stay strong. Now I've lived in Karachi for almost half my life, if it's one thing it has. It's hope.

The Chronicles of an Insomniac Pakistani Teenager

Another day, another sleepless night. These are ramblings of every insomniac. Speaking of Insomnia, I'm writing a book with the same title as this post.

I always found it funny when it's 11 p.m, I can barely in myself to keep myself awake but by the time it's 2 a.m I'm jumping all 

I am so frickin' high right now.

over the place like some bunny rabbit whose high on cocaine.

Usually I'm raiding the fridge in my (usually fruitless) quest of a midnight snack or I'm walking around aimlessly with earphones plugged in wondering what I should do. As an avid gamer, I spend my nights wrapped in blanket playing video games till the crack of dawn (which by then, I'll sleep). Though, there's only so much COD you can play and currently I've pretty much finished most my single player campaigns. 

 

Messiah's, Assassinations and What-not!?

Hey there guys, sorry for not posting again after some time. Blogging been taking a bit of a back-seat for me lately. Started making music again (After almost year, due to school).

Anyways, back to topic. The past few weeks for Pakistan have been volatile to say the least. Another MQM official shot dead in Karachi, and Tahir Ul Qadri; a Pakistani-Canadian Sufi Scholar turned Politician/Messiah is taking the centre stage. 

His call for a "million-man march" in favour of reforms and against corruption has propelled cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri to the status as the champion of Pakistan's middle class. Although the protest in Islamabad will achieve little, it casts a spotlight on the population's growing displeasure and it's dwindling faith in Pakistan's mainstream political parties. His liberal views, his open condemnation of terrorism does have my support; though not sure on his motivation for suddenly returning to Pakistan. If he is what he says he is, then he might just turn things around or be another let-down.

Long Vacation

Hey guys, I've been taking a long break.This blog will be back on track soon. I've noticed the Alexa rank for this blog has went up, which is bad. Hopefully I'll get everything sorted out. Pakistan's been in a bit of a turmoil these past weeks and I really wanted to blog on that. But meh, don't blame me I was vacation.

I was gonna write more for this post but I need to start researching for a MUN (Model United Nations). To be more specific, I'm taking part in MUNIK 2013 held at IBA university in Karachi. Wish my delegation luck!

This is Mirsub Ali Fazlani signing (or should I say blogging) out!

As the Year Draws to a Close (2012)

A lot of things have happened this year. This blog which I started for fun turned out to be bigger success I thought it would be, survived the possible end-of-the-world (and not to mention those grueling exams at the middle and end of every year).

There was joy, turmoil, boredom and long nights (blame it on insomnia and the ole' coffee) and then more turmoil but this year has a been an eye-opener to say the least. Though, school's been a bit of a pain in the arse, it has it's moments. After being stagnant for months on end, I'm back on Youtube. I've also started writing a book entitled 'The Chronicles of an Insomniac Pakistani Teenager'. Yes, I know that titles quite a mouthful.

After all this, all I can say is I hope next year is even more wonderful then this year. And to all those reading, an (early) happy new year! Since I'll be busy celebrating ;)

One word. EXAMS.

One word. Exams. The one thing everyone with strict asian  parents fear the most. As each day brings me closer to it, the more the frustration seems to mount. Time to make a status about 'de-activating' your facebook account (but never actually doing that)  how you need to study more. I need to get at very 'least' a B+ and according to my parents, anything less than is a fail. And I have another word for you...SLEEP DEPREVATION.  Just what I need.

NOVEMBER UPDATE: Exams! Exams! EXAAMS?!

The title says it all. First it was the school play in which we had to stay in school for bloody 16 hours at a time! (For f*cks sake, we aren't performing in Royal Shakespeare theatre or something) and now....the moment I've been dreading since this semester stated. Exams.

I'd like to ask my readers to forgive me and the co-authors of this blog for not making a post in a while. Hopefully we'll be back on track later in the year.

Take care and remember, you (and this blog) are awesome!

Regards,
CEO and Founder,
Mirsub Ali Fazlani

SEPTEMBER UPDATE: School, School and more School

Hey there, folks. Like I predicted schools getting in the way of my (awesome) blogging. Hopefully after this 'test week' ends; I'll be on my up blogging game again. 

In Other news....my alexa ranking  is at 600,000 now! I'm finally crossed the 1-million mark and about crossed 500,000 mark! 

And oh, you guys do me a favour and share and comment (keep them civil) on my posts! It means alot to me.

This is Mirsub Ali Fazlani signing out!

Monsoon Season....b*tches

Ok... before for you go "No shit, sherlock..." it's raining in Karachi (and in some parts of the punjab and probably Mumbai too.

What's a monsoon you say?

''Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes ...''

Or in other words....a shit-load of rain for the next week or so.

Other then the nice weather....an added bonus is that schools get closed due to heavy rain fall (like mine, today).

AUGUST UPDATE: Laziness, Writer's Block etc

As I predicted,  school was gonna cause a hindrance on how much I could blog. Plus, I'm more lethargic these days....

I just can't seem to focus and I've been running on guests posts mostly for the past few weeks. Now that Ramadan coming to a close in a couple of days, I might just get something going again. 

This blog turned out to be more of a success then I thought it would be and I made it just for fun. I'm aware that my blogs layout and design isn't exactly professional but I've come a long way and hopefully I'll have a better design in the next few months.

I've been having a tough-time making posts as-well and I have a case of 'Writer's Block' at the moment but after Eid I'll be bursting with ideas. 

This is Mirsub Ali Fazlani signing out!

A View From Both Sides : India and Pakistan

Note. this is a guest post by an Indian Blogger who wishes to remain anonymous. He is new to blogging so I helped him out and added some of my points here and there.

I have a theory, that if if I were really drunk, and wake up in Karachi somehow, I won't  know I'm not in India; the vegetation is similar, the people are brown, the cars are same online the adverts/brands will be different and to an extent, the language.

Sadly, the stereotype is that Pakistani= terrorists. Not in all communities, but thats just how it is. It's sad, but true. Especially since kasab and all that.

Take the cities of Karachi and Mumbai for example. Before partition, Karachi and Mumbai were known as twin cities. Karachi faces political violence with the PPP and MQM at each others throats and Sindhi vs. Urdu speaking (Muhajirs) communal conflict. Now I see why.all the above is true for Mumbai, just replace Sindhi with Maharashtrain and replace Muhajirs with Bihari. You have sea view road, we have marine drive.

We're like two pieces of the same jigsaw puzzle.

Guess Who Just Got The 'Liebster Blog' award!?

Ok. So I Just got awarded the some-what prestigious 'Liebster blog' award by a fellow blogger.

This is the post I got tagged in : http://tenandup.blogspot.com/2012/08/ahfdshg-i-got-blog-award-d.html

Now some of you maybe wondering; "What is this 'Liebster award', Mirsub is rambling on about".

Well, the 'Liebster Blog' Award is given to up and coming bloggers. The Meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

Like every award, some rules are to be followed:

• If you are tagged/nominated, you have to post 11 facts about yourself.
•  Then you answer the 11 questions the tagger has given you and make 11 questions for the people you are going to tag.
• Tag 5-11 more Bloggers. 
• Tell the people you tagged that you did.

Back to School.....b*tches

Don't ask. I had the Old Microsoft Paint.

No more waking up in the middle of the afternoon (atleast during the weekdays) and staying up till 3 'o' clock in the morning. Goodbye 24/7 internet use and hello tuitions, assignments and monthly tests and those despicable uniforms. Oh the joy.

I can’t believe how fast this summer has gone by yet I feel like I didn’t get to do all the things I wanted to yet. Time fly's doesn't it? I'm a little anxious, excited and scared at the same time. A lot of people left from our class and things won't be same. Starting my O' levels so there going to be a couple of new subjects.

Just need to change my sleeping my patterns (I sleep at 5 'o' clock in dawn and wake up at around 2-3 pm) and also get ready for school and all the drama and b*llshit that comes with it. 

It's also means it won't be able to blog as much as I'd like to and I hope this doesn't take a toll on my traffic or anything. But don't worry, I'll post something satirical every now and then. 

Till then, this is Mirsub Ali Fazlani signing out!

JULY UPDATE: New tabs, Growth etc

I remember starting this blog a 4 months ago and I'd never expect it to grow as it has today. As of 29th July, I'm ranking 1,200,000 in Alexa. *tears of joy*

I was a bit surprised to learn that most of my visitors came from India (40%)and NOT Pakistan (35%). This blog's been a bit of a roller-coaster for me and it was fun blogging during the summer at times when I would have other wise been bored. Though, now my Summer Vacation's coming to close (effective August 2nd) and I won't be able to blog as much as I would like thanks to monthly tests, homework and what-not. But I'll keep it updated when ever there's a story that really 'Grinds my Gears'

I've added  a couple of new tabs like 'Other Kick-Ass Blogs' which as you can tell by it's name will be listing Blogs which I find awesome. And in a couple hours after this post is published I'll be adding a 'My Publications' tab where you can keep track of any of my works published else where. And in the future, I plan on getting something published on the newspaper, for now guest-posts will do. 
 

Got any suggestions? Put them in the comments, dammit!

Are You Addicted to Blogging? (Well, So Am I)

If you're a Blogger, you know what I'm talking about.


Ever felt anxious or paranoid when you haven't made a post in a while? Every thought "Come on dammit, think of something". If you said yes, then you Sir (or ma'am) are a Blogging Addict.


Hell, this very post you're reading kept me thinking all-night. It takes anywhere from a few hours (If I'm planning on posting it today) to a week to write a good post and let's face it. All my posts are good ;)


Wanna know some tell-tale signs of a Blogging Addict?

Colours that 'Define' Us

Who has made it so abundantly clear to human-kind that it is okay to not have boundaries? Who let us become this way? So unclear about anything, so confused and vulnerable.